Authorities Warn New Year's Eve Revelers Not To Drive Impaired
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Law enforcement agencies across the Southland have issued a warning Tuesday for drivers who insist on driving impaired on New Year's Eve.
That message? Be prepared to pay for it.
"The average price tag for a first-time DUI is about $10,000, while in Los Angeles that costs maybe up to $15,000," said LAPD Traffic Division Capt. Maureen Ryan.
Law Enforcement Agencies Step Up Patrols On New Year's Eve
CHP Capt. Kevin Gordon tells KNX 1070's Vytas Safroncikas that all available officers will be prowling the roadways on Tuesday night in search of DUI drivers.
"There are plenty of transportation alternatives to driving drunk, such as designating a sober driver, taking a taxi, or using public transportation," Gordon said.
One such alternative is the Automobile Club of Southern California's Tipsy Tow program. The program will be offered on New Year's Eve for both members and non-members of AAA.
The program offers drivers a one-way, one-time ride of up to seven miles from the origin of pick-up but does not include rides for passengers, according to the AAA website. Those seeking or requiring a Tipsy Tow may call 1 (800) 400-4222.
Meantime, Metro said on their website that they will also be offering all-night service on the Red, Purple, Blue, Expo, Green, Gold, Orange and Silver Lines. Click here for more information.
Safroncikas reports that a person is injured almost every 90 seconds in an alcohol-related crash.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2012, 10,322 people died in drunk driving crashes. That amounts to one person every 51 minutes, Mother's Against Drunk Driving (MADD) indicated on their website.
